What did Carlo Ancelotti say about Real Madrid’s defeat to Mallorca?

Real Madrid are looking for favours in LaLiga after Nacho’s own goal, along with a missed penalty from Marco Asensio, saw them slump to a 1-0 defeat to Mallorca in Palma and means they sit five points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, who have played one game less.. Boss Carlo Ancelotti gave his thought on his team’s loss at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, first speaking to Movistar+ LaLiga TV immediately after the game.

What did Carlo Ancelotti say in a flash interview after Real Madrid’s defeat to Mallorca?

A tough defeat to take: “Yes, it was tough. It was the type of match we were expecting. It was a very tough match, it was difficult... We weren’t lucky enough to be able to manage it the way we wanted because they scored against us very early on and then it was very difficult. Lots of fouls, stoppages, players going down... But both teams played to the end. We deserved an equaliser, we missed the penalty, we had chances in very tight spaces... We played the game the way we had to”.

How Real Madrid can overcome low defensive blocks in the future?: “We need a lot more movement, look to play in behind more... It’s difficult to play between the lines. The penalty came when we got in behind them. Although when they play with such a low block, it’s difficult to get the ball in behind. I think we tried but it didn’t work out well”.

Valverde and Ceballos starting: “They were feeling good. Kroos came off in the last game with a little injury, Luka [Modric] too. I rotated a bit”.

Did injuries lead to having a weaker bench than usual?: “Maybe. We played the game the way we had to. Things didn’t have to go like that, we conceded a goal. We should’ve equalised and at the end we were able to control the game, have chances, push them back... The first half determined the outcome”.

What did Carlo Ancelotti say in his post-match press conference after Real Madrid’s defeat to Mallorca?

A few minutes later, Madrid boss Ancelotti took part in an official post-match press conference, where he expanded on a number of things he had been asked about in the immediate aftermath of the loss.

Vinícius was again targeted by opposition players; what’s the solution?: “Everything that happens is not Vinicius’ fault. All he wants to do is play soccer but opponents provoke him, push him, foul him…We have to change that focus. We have to look at what happened to him in today’s game”.

Have Real Madrid all but thrown away the league title?: “It’s a defeat that really us hurts in that sense, but it was the kind of match we expected. We were ready for a tough match, with a lot of fouls and stoppages. Small margins decided the outcome of the match. The early goal and the missed penalty really affected us. I don’t think we played badly considering the type of match it was, but it was an unusual match, with a lot of stoppages. Now we have to think about the Club World Cup, which we are very excited about”.

With Courtois, Benzema and Militao missing, did you consider starting Kroos and Modric because of their experience?: “Kroos picked up an injury in the Valencia game, it was better to avoid risks. Luka had played a game less than 72 hours ago and I didn’t want to risk him either. The team played a good game in terms of the energy we showed, especially in the first half”.

What happened to Courtois?: “Courtois suffered a knock in the warm-up and that’s why we replaced him”.

Does the Champions League become even more important now considering the gap at the top of LaLiga?: “Every game that we have to play is the most important one. Now we have the Club World Cup, which we want to win, and then we’ll fight for the league title until the very end. It’s not over yet, there are still a lot of games to go. What happened to us today can happen in any game.”

Mallorca committed 29 fouls: “I have to look at the fouls again a little bit. Today, the referee forgot about persistent fouling. It’s a yellow card when a player keeps committing foul after foul. We ended the first half with two cards and Mallorca none”.

Asensio as the penalty taker: “It was my decision. Benzema is first choice, then Modric and then someone else: Kroos, Asensio, Rodrygo... I choose who takes the penalties”.